The SNH foundation finds its roots in the Swiss Vitamin Institute (SVI) foundation established in 1931. The foundation goes behond vitamins analysis and extend its scope and research activities to all nutrients, micronutrients and natural bioactives. Read more
The SNH foundation is driven by science to contribute to a better world through research, innovation and education on nutrition and health. We believe in science as an enabler of trust between people. Anchoring trust through science is our slogan.
The SNH foundation was first established in 1931. It was initially called Swiss Vitamin Institute (Institut Suisse des Vitamines) responsible for surveying vitamin enriched foods, as requested by the then applicable Swiss legislation. Initially linked to the University of Lausanne, SVI became a totally new and independent foundation in 1995 oriented public health with a focus on vitamin testing, medical analysis and research.
In 2014, the foundation initiated a process aiming at expanding its research interest and expertise in nutrition and public health. Vitamins represent a category of micronutrients that are essential for health along with an ensemble of minerals, proteins and amino acids, lipids and fatty acids, carbohydrates and a myriade of phytonutrients. Investigating nutrition and health relationships require methodology enabling a comprehensive analysis of all food components beyond vitamins as well as expertise to understand the interplay between all those components with human health.
In 2021, thus marking the 90th anniversary of the SVI, the Swiss Nutrition and Health foundation (SNHf) was created with a scope and research interests expanded to all nutrients, micronutrients and natural bioactives. True to its heritage, the SNHf remains a not for profit and independent foundation that develops and deploys high quality testing and research capabilities in the domains of nutrition, health and cosmetic.
The Swiss Nutrition and Health Foundation (SNHf) is committed to promoting gender equality, diversity, and inclusion across all levels of the organisation. Our Gender Equality Plan 2026 sets out a structured framework covering seven key principles — from leadership representation and fair recruitment to equal pay, research integrity, and transparent accountability.
This plan reflects our belief that equitable practices are inseparable from scientific excellence. Download the full document below to read our goals, indicators, and timelines in detail.
GEP_SNHf_2026.pdf
Gender Equality Plan · Swiss Nutrition and Health Foundation
We develop partnerships with national and international leading research and regulatory institutions as well as with start ups, SMEs and global corporations.
We collaborate to quantify unmet nutritional needs and to create awareness about them. We are strongly engaged in knowledge development about nutritional reference values and nutrient effects on health.
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End-to-end analysis of the nutrient journey from raw ingredients, to foods and beverages to metabolism. We own a recognized expertise on nutritional status analysis.
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A certification program for brands to communicate about their transparency and confidence about their product composition.
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The SNHf offers communication services and teaching activities in the fields of nutrition and health. It is also a recognized entity for the education of apprentices.
